Persimmon Glen

I'm about to give away a secret recipe. I made this drink about 10 years ago while on a camping trip and it was so good, I wished I could bottle it and sell it. I call it  'SassyJack'.

It's a little bit of trouble to make the first time, but boy, is it worth it. First you have to get hold of some good AppleJack. You can make it yourself, searches find several recipes, or you can combine apple brandy with Jack Daniels 1:1  or you can buy yourself a good bottle. Laird's AppleJack is the best and its the oldest  distillery in the country.

Mine came from somewhere back in the hills around here...

Next you have to find yourself a Sassafras tree. Locate one that's at least 2-3 inches  in diameter. Get out your trusty shovel and dig about 6-8 inches from the base of the  tree, find a good sized root and chop it off. Don't take more than one root from a  tree unless it's a really big one, you don't want to kill it.

Are you still with me?

Then you wash it real good, and peel the outer layer away and chop it up and boil it  for about 10 minutes till you get a nice ruby red color. I like to add sugar while I'm  boiling, some don't like it sweetened. I usually use a granite coffepot  and cook it  over a fire, so I use about a half cup of sugar to a cup of roots. Strain it and get yourself a good sized glass. I use a quart mason jar. Mix 3 parts sassafras tea to one part Applejack over ice and enjoy. Mmm,mmm, mighty larrapin'  !!

Sumac Ade

Another good drink you can make is from wild gathered Staghorn sumac. Gather the  seedheads in late July or early August for peak flavor. Taste them as you pick, because sometimes the seeds can be bland. You're gonna need 6-8  to  make a pitcher. Put them in a big bowl and pour cold water to cover and let them  steep till you have a nice pink color. Add some sugar to taste, strain through  cheesecloth and serve over ice. This is tangy like lemonade and for the grown-ups  you can add vodka.

Mint Julep 

Here's a good way to use up some of that Spearmint that's growing wild all over the place. Mint Juleps are a traditional drink of the south. There are several ways to make it, here is the easiest way:

Chill a mug or tumbler and add 2 teas sugar, 2 teas water and some mint sprigs. crush with a spoon, then add crushed ice and 2 oz of your favorite bourbon.

Here's a good recipe if you want to make several at a time:

Make a simple syrup by boiling together 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with 5-6 sprigs of mint in the refrigerator overnight. Take that and make one julep at a time by adding crushed ice, 1 tablespoonful of mint syrup and two ounces of your favorite bourbon. Add a sprig of mint to garnish the top.

Something about this drink always reminds me of 'Gone With the Wind'.... Here's to ya!!